Brick Garden Edging Installation

A brick garden edging will give your garden a very rustic look and if executed properly makes the garden look much neater. Using a concrete base will prevent the grass from encroaching into the landscape. Instead of getting a professional to do the job, you can take up the job as a weekend project. You need to handle the project with care and precision so as not to end up with a clumsy looking skirting. With this set of instructions and the right tools, you will soon have a nice brick garden edging.

Step 1 – Dig a Trench

The first step in laying out the brick garden edging is digging a trench. With the help of a shovel, preferably the sharp shooter variety, dig a trench on the outskirt of the garden. A sharp shooter is a great shovel for this job, as it is designed to dig up a deep hole even in a hard or rocky soil. The trench should be 6 inches in depth and the width should match the edge of the shovel.

Step 2 – Mix the Concrete

Mix the concrete and water according to the instruction on the package. Blend the mix with a shovel till it reaches the right consistency. It should not be too watery nor should it be extra sticky. Aim for a consistency in between the two extremes. Make sure you mix just what you are going to use or it will go to waste if it is unused.

Step 3 – Filling the Trench

With a shovel fill the trench with concrete. The trench should be filled till the garden bed level. Now smooth the top of the concrete with a trowel. The curing time is between 2 to 3 days. While the concrete dries, frequently splash water on it. Spraying water twice a day will be beneficial.

Step 4 – Mortar Mix

Mortar is used in construction and helps in forming a strong bond between the brick and the surface. The mortar has to be mixed in water to get a consistency that will strengthen the binding process. Mix the mortar in a wheel barrow.

Step 5 - Applying the Mortar

The mortar has to be added to the cement filled trench. This should be done, after the curing period of the cement. On the concrete curb spread the mortar layer. The thickness should be 2 inches.

Step 6 – Placing the Bricks

Now the final step in installing the brick garden edging is to place the bricks on the freshly applied layer of mortar. Take some mortar and apply it at the starting point. Now place the brick and mash it towards the concrete. Use a trowel to scrap off the excess mortar. Repeat this process with every brick that you place. Your brick garden edging will need a 24 hour curing period, after which the job will be complete.